NCERT History Class 10 | Print Comes to Europe – Concept and Notes
Topic & sub-topics covered: Print Comes to Europe, Gutenberg and the Printing Press: Print Culture and The Modern World (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).
We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 10th about “Print Comes to Europe, Gutenberg and the Printing Press” which is taken from the NCERT History book for class 10th chapter no. 5 “Print Culture and The Modern World“.
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NCERT Class 10 History Chapter 5 Print Culture And The Modern World Class 10th Notes & Concept
Print Comes to Europe
1. Introduction of Chinese Paper in Europe:
- Chinese paper reached Europe via the Silk Route in the 11th century.
- Enabled manuscript production by scribes, enhancing written communication.
2. Impact of Marco Polo’s Return:
- Marco Polo brought woodblock printing knowledge from China to Italy in 1295.
- Italians began producing books with woodblocks, leading to the spread of printing technology in Europe.
3. Shift Towards Printing Technology:
- Initially, luxury editions were handwritten, while cheaper printed copies gained popularity among merchants and students.
- Demand for books increased, leading to the organization of book production and the rise of booksellers.
4. Expansion of Book Trade:
- Booksellers across Europe began exporting books to various countries.
- Book fairs became common, facilitating the exchange of books and ideas.
5. Challenges of Manuscript Production:
- Handwritten manuscripts were expensive, labour-intensive, and fragile, limiting their circulation.
- Copying manuscripts was time-consuming, leading to the search for quicker reproduction methods.
6. Emergence of Woodblock Printing:
- Woodblocks were widely used in Europe by the early 15th century for printing textiles, playing cards, and religious pictures with simple texts.
7. Invention of Printing Press:
- Johann Gutenberg developed the first-known printing press in the 1430s in Strasbourg, Germany.
- Signalled a significant breakthrough in print technology, paving the way for mass production of texts.
Gutenberg and the Printing Press
1. Gutenberg’s Background and Innovation:
- Gutenberg, the son of a merchant, grew up on an agricultural estate and learned about presses.
- He acquired expertise in polishing stones, goldsmithing, and creating lead moulds, which he adapted for his printing press.
2. Development of Printing Press:
- Gutenberg perfected the printing press model by 1448, using olive press as a basis and lead moulds for metal types.
- First printed book was the Bible, with approximately 180 copies produced over three years, showcasing relatively fast production for the time.
3. Coexistence with Hand Production:
- Printed books initially resembled handwritten manuscripts, with metal letters mimicking ornamental styles.
- Hand illumination and painting of illustrations continued, offering buyers customization options.
4. Spread of Printing Presses:
- Printing presses proliferated across Europe between 1450 and 1550, with German printers travelling to other countries to establish presses.
- This led to a surge in book production, with 20 million copies printed in the late 15th century and approximately 200 million in the 16th century.
5. Impact of Mechanical Printing:
- The transition from hand printing to mechanical printing sparked the print revolution, significantly increasing book availability and accessibility.
Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE History Class 10 Chapter 5: Print Culture and the Modern World
FAQ
Q1. What role did Marco Polo play in the spread of printing technology in Europe?
Answer: Marco Polo’s return from China in 1295 brought woodblock printing knowledge to Italy, sparking the production of books with woodblocks and contributing to the dissemination of printing technology in Europe.
Q2. How did Gutenberg’s background influence the development of the printing press?
Answer: Johann Gutenberg, the son of a merchant, leveraged his expertise in polishing stones, goldsmithing, and lead mould creation to innovate the printing press. His agricultural upbringing also provided insights into machinery, aiding in the press’s development.
Q3. What impact did the invention of the printing press have on book production in Europe?
Answer: The printing press revolutionized book production, leading to a surge in availability and accessibility. With approximately 180 copies of the Bible produced within three years of its invention, the press facilitated mass production, fueling the print revolution and the spread of ideas.